Speaker
Description
Neutrons offer a number of well-known advantages in the investigation of materials. Of importance for cultural heritage (CH) and natural heritage (NH) studies is the extreme penetration allowing for non-invasive characterization. While in the past neutron activation analysis and autoradiography [1] were the major techniques employed in the field, nowadays neutron investigations of archaeological objects and art works encompass imaging, chemical analysis, and crystallographic analysis, including phase identification, texture analysis, and structural/microstructural analysis [2]. In principle, such information may be obtained simultaneously in a single combined experiment, thus minimizing neutron exposure and the risks and the costs related to the handling of unique objects/specimens. Muon investigations are also rapidly expanding the area of non-invasive chemical characterization and depth profiling [3].
A brief history of the applications of neutron sources to cultural heritage investigation will be presented, with a discussion of present trends and possible future developments based on technical advances [4]. The planned improvements on both neutron sources and detectors technically should foster applications in the CH area, though serious infrastructures are needed to link heritage users to dedicated facilities [5].
References
[1]. Speakman, R. J., & Glascock, M. D., Acknowledging fifty years of neutron activation analysis in archaeology. Archaeometry, Special issue 49 (2007) 179-183.
[2]. Kardjilov, N., & Festa, G. (Eds.). Neutron methods for archaeology and cultural heritage (2017) Berlin: Springer.
[3]. Hillier, A. D., Hampshire, B., & Ishida, K. Depth-Dependent Bulk Elemental Analysis Using Negative Muons. In: Handbook of Cultural Heritage Analysis (2022) pp. 23-43. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
[4]. Artioli, G., & Hussey, D. S., Imaging with neutrons. Elements: An International Magazine of Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Petrology, 17 (2021) 189-194.
[5]. Artioli G. Crystallographic texture analysis of archaeological metals: interpretation of manufacturing techniques. Appl. Physics A 89 (2007) 899-908.
